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In an interview marking his 46th birthday, Japan’s Prince Akishino made some controversial remarks about the age limits of Emperors.
 View more images of Prince Akishino & family here He said having a retirement age for monarchs is “one idea” and “discussions should be held including at what age to draw the line.”
“When you pass a certain age, it gradually becomes difficult for people to do various things,” said Akishino, who’s father, Emperor Akihito, will turn 78 in late December.
Under the 1947 Imperial House Law, a male who is a descendant of an Emperor would ascend to the Chrysanthemum throne upon the Emperor’s death.
Akishino’s comments have led many to wonder if there is a crisis going on within the imperial family. According to the Daily Yomiuri, many of the Prince’s comments reflected the beliefs held by many among members of the royals and senior officials of the Imperial Household Agency.
These remarks come just days after it was announced there will be dynastic changes to the family, particularly allowing princesses to maintain their titles after marrying commoners.
Sources: Inside Japan Tours, Daily Yomiuri
 Click here for original article Tuesday saw the eldest grandchild of the Emperor and Empress of Japan take part in a duck hunt in Chiba prefecture.
20 year old Princess Mako joined her parents, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, in showing ambassadors from 11 countries this traditional Japanese event. It was among her first royal duties as an adult member of the imperial family.
The way duck hunting goes is the person catches a wild duck with their own hands and then sets it free.
Although Princess Mako is slowly being added to the schedule for imperial duties, she won’t be full time royal until she completes her studies at the International Christian I University in April 2012.
Source: 47news.jp
 To see more photos of Prince Hisahito, click here At the Akasaka imperial estate Thursday, Japan’s future emperor took part in the Chakko-no-gi ceremony which marked his transition from infancy to childhood.
Prince Hisahito, who turned 5 years old last month, dressed in traditional Japanese attire as he went through the ancient ceremony. During the Chakko-no-gi, prayers are offered for good health and growth while the participant is dressed in a kosode (short-sleeved silk jacket) and hakama (culottes).
His parents – Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko – and his two older sisters, Princesses Mako and Kako, were present for the event.
Sources: MSNBC, Japan Probe
 REUTERS/Kent Gilbert Japan’s Prince Akishino and his wife, Princess Kiko, began their five day official visit to Costa Rica Tuesday. The couple arrived via commercial flight at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José and were greeted by Costa Rica’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Roverssi.
The point of this visit is to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
First on the couple’s agenda was to visit the National Museum. On Wednesday, they met with President Laura Chinchilla, who will host a dinner in Akishino and Kiko’s honor.
Also on the itinerary is a tour of the National Biodiversity Institute, meet with members of the Japanese community in Costa Rica, pay a visit to the National Children’s Hospital, the botanical gardens of the National University and the Central American School of Livestock.
This official visit will end this weekend.
Source: AP, Inside Costa Rica
The second son of the Japanese Emperor, Prince Akishino, turns 45 Tuesday, and to mark the day he gave a press conference in Tokyo where he discussed his family and the future of the monarchy.
 AP Photo/Imperial Household Agency of Japan ‘‘We must always think how we should exist to respond to the demands of the times,” said Akishino, who added that he and elder brother, Crown Prince Naruhito, have talked about ways to modernize the institution on several occasions.
Joining the Prince for the conference was his wife, Princess Kiko. In June, the couple marked their 20th wedding anniversary. They exchanged kind and loving words, thanking each other for their support through the years.
Akishino also talked about his three children, who have all entered new schools this year. Princess Mako, 18, entered the International Christian University in April while Princess Kako, 15, is now in high school at Gakushuin. Little brother, and heir to the throne, Prince Hisahito, age 4, began preschool this year too.
‘‘I’m glad they appear to be enjoying their schools,” their father told reporters.
When asked about his children’s cousin, Princess Aiko, daughter of Naruhito, Princess Kiko said she hoped Aiko will ‘‘head in better direction.’’ The young princess has missed several school days this year due to bullies.
Finally, Prince Akishino was asked about his father, Emperor Akihito who is in his 70s and has had his workload lessened in recent months. Akishino said ‘‘it would be good’’ for the emperor to keep serving the nation under current conditions.
Source: Japan Today
 AFP PHOTO / IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD AGENCY / HO Monday, September 6th marks Japan’s little Prince Hisahito’s 4th birthday. The only son of Prince Akishino, plus the only grandson of Emperor Akihito, the little boy is third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Hisahito attends kindergarten at Ochanomizu University in Tokyo, a departure for the Japanese royals who usually attend Gakushuin.
When not in school, Hisahito likes to ride his bike once used by big sisters, Mako, 18, and Kako, 15.
 AFP PHOTO / IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD AGENCY / HO Source: Kyodo News Agency
 REUTERS/Toshifumi Kitamura/Pool On Friday, 3 year-old Prince Hisahito began the Japanese version of kindergarten at the state-run Ochanomizu University. This is a departure for a Japanese royal. Usually, they attend the exclusive private Gakushuin School, but Hisahito’s parents wanted him to interact with more children his age.
Arriving with his parents, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, the little Prince seemed excited to begin his first day of school. Dressed in his uniform, he was introduced to Akemi Miyazato, deputy director of the kindergarten. When Ms. Miyazato congratulated him on his entrance, Hisahito bowed and thanked her.
Also starting a new phase in her life on Friday was Hisahito’s cousin, Princess Aiko. The 8 year-old daughter of the Crown Princely couple began third grade at Gakushuin. She did not attend the opening ceremony for the school’s new term, but Aiko did go to a briefing session. She was brought to school by her mother, Crown Princess Masako.
Hisahito is the only male grandchild of Emperor Akihito. Because of laws which only allow males to inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne, he is in line to it, unlike Aiko.
Sources: Japan Today, The Japan Times
 YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images The two daughters of Japan’s Prince Akishino have completed one stage of their academic life and are moving on to the next level.
On Monday, Princesses Mako, 18, and Kako, 15, graduated from the high and junior high schools of the exclusive Gakushuin school in Tokyo. Kako would now attend the high school while her big sister will attend the International Christian University in Tokyo starting in April.
But before she begins her studies, Princess Mako will be doing some field work with her father. Today, she joined him on a private trip to Laos, where Prince Akishino will study the relations between humans and wild chickens in hopes of understanding such illnesses as avian flu.
Originally, Akishino was going to first go to Bangkok but the protests in the capital of Thailand forced him to change his schedule due to security concerns.
The man who is second in line to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne turned 44 Monday. Prince Akishino gave a press conference to mark this occasion.
 AP Photo/The Imperial Household Agency of Japan One of the things he mentioned during the conference was how the Japanese taxpayers would benefit from a smaller imperial family. Under current regulations, the number of people who belong the family will decrease.
“From the point of view of the financial burden on the country, it is no bad thing,” Akishino told reporters.
He did point out, however, that there would be less people able to carry out engagements.
Japan is now dealing with a deep debt and is making budget cuts of over $1 trillion. The government is trying to prevent another recession.
In addition, Prince Akishino suggested during the press conference that members of the imperial family should have their say in its future. ‘‘I think it might be necessary to have the process of listening to the opinions of the crown prince and other parties concerned.”
 Reuters Japan’s Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko continued their week long tour of the Netherlands. On Tuesday, they met with Dutch political leaders, and royalty.
First, the couple met with Prince Constantijn and his wife, Princess Laurentien in The Hague at the Royal Library. There, the Dutch royals showed their Japanese counterparts the exhibit, “From Here to Tokyo,” which celebrates 400 years of trade relations between the two countries. Constantijn and Akishino posed for the media displaying their commemorative coins.
Constantijn and Laurentien were the ones who met with the Japanese royals at this exhibit likely because of Princess Laurentien, who spent part of her youth in Japan. Her father was head of the European Community office.
 Reuters Later on, Akishino and Kiko met with Dutch Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende, and held talks with the Dutch head of government. Throughout the whole day, Princess Kiko was dressed in a traditional kimono.
Tuesday is the only day for the Japanese royals to have official visits. Previously, and for the rest of their stay, they will be on private tours around the Netherlands.
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